Future Power Technology: Clean Energy Edition

In this issue we explore the pressures of renewable energy on Europe’s power system, Google’s $1bn zero carbon investment strategy, grid-connected electric car schemes, the shale gas boom in the US, and more.

The rapid growth in renewable energy generation is placing considerable pressure on Europe's power system. We examine why flexibility and integration are critical to meeting Europe's long-term generation challenge, and hear from the advisory board of Power-Gen Europe about the key challenges faced by the industry, such as de-carbonisation targets, policy harmonisation and market design. We also take a look at Google's $1bn investment strategy for renewable energy projects, and explore the UK's most advanced wave energy test tank.

New research suggests the full potential of electric cars will only be realised when vehicles are integrated into home energy management systems. We explore the possibilities of connecting electric car schemes to the grid and what effect it could have on demand management, the infrastructure and power producers. Moreover, shale gas is booming in the US. We investigate the potential of shale gas as a green solution to US power demand and the controversy surrounding fracking.

Finally, we profile a 1,250MW combined-cycle natural gas power plant that will replace the Riviera Beach Energy Center in Florida, the 288MW wind farm that E.ON Climate & Renewables is building in the North Sea, and a 550MW solar photovoltaic power plant under construction in California.

Google's EarthGoogle's aspirations have always extended beyond its bottom line and determined to stay true to its progressive northern Californian roots, the company has committed to becoming the first zero-carbon corporation. Click here to read the full article.

Ripples to WavesPlymouth University's marine building is home to the UK's most sophisticated wave energy tank. Future Power Technology takes a look at the facility and the latest experiments. Click here to read the full article.

Charging UpNew research from the Cambridge Service Alliance suggests the full value of electric cars will only be realised when the batteries are used to store renewable energy and the vehicles are integrated into energy demand management systems. What effect could this have on demand management, the charging infrastructure and renewable power producers? Click here to read the full article.

Game Changer or Game Over?An abundant supply of low-cost energy with the potential to save the economy is the dream of any country. Shale gas is booming in the US, but as gas prices drop and wells decline rapidly, can it secure the country's energy future? Click here to read the full article.

Industry Project: Next Generation Clean Energy CenterThe Next Generation Clean Energy Center, which will have an operational life of 30 years once it is completed in 2014, is part of Florida Power & Light's strategy to become a clean energy leader in the US. Click here to read the full article.

Industry Project: Amrumbank West Offshore Wind FarmAmrumbank West is a 288MW offshore wind farm planned for the North Sea off the German coast, 35km north of Helgoland and 37km west of Amrum. Click here to read the full article.

Industry Project: Desert Sunlight Solar FarmDesert Sunlight is a 550MW photovoltaic solar power project being built across 4,100 acres of land in the Chuckwalla Valley, in the east of Riverside County, California. Click here to read the full article.

Next issue: Wind, Waves & Sunshine

As the European Marine Energy Centre in Scotland enters into its tenth year and all the facility's test berths are leased out for the testing of a range of new devices, we take a look at progress in the marine power industry and ask what the future holds for this fast-growing sector. We also explore the economic potential of marine energy as a power source for remote island communities around the world.

Moreover, we take a look at the operational and technological challenges that arise as offshore wind farms move into ever deeper waters, and profile new turbines designed to withstand the harshest environmental conditions at sea.

And, as new solar power projects grow in size, capacity and ambition, we chart a world map of the largest photovoltaic and solar thermal plants in development or recently commissioned, and profile some new projects in development.